The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1887-10-26
MASONIC RESPONSIBILITY
A Nice Old Lady Inquiries About Her Hus
banda.


bands.
Scottish Rite Bulletin.
The mddle-aged lady with a black alpaca
dress, worn shiny at the elbows, and a cheap
shawl and cheap bonnet, and her hands all
puckered up aud blue as though she had just
got her washing out, went into the Office of a
prominent Mason few days ago and took a
chair. She wiped her nose and the perspiration
from her face blue checkered apron, and
when the Mason looked at her with an interest
ed, brotherly look as though she was troubled,
she said:
Are you the boss Mason!"
He blusheG, told her he was Mason. but not
the highest in the land, She hesitated mo-
ment, fingered the corner of her apron. and
curled It up like a boy speaking a piece in
school. and asked:
Have you taken the whole 233 degrees of
Masonry?"
Ths man assured her that there were only
thirty three degrees, and that he had only taken
thirty-two. Tue other degree could only be
taken by a few who were recommended to the
grand body. The lady studied minute. un-
pinned the safety pin that fastened her shawl
together and put it in her mouth drew a breath,
and said:
Where does my husband get tho 200 degrees,
them
The prominent Mason said he guessed her hus-
band never got 200 degrees, unless he had de-
gree factory. He said he didn't understand the
LADY.
Does my husband have to sit up with a
corpse three nights in week." she asked. her
eyes flashing fire. DO you keep a lot of sick
Masons on tap for my husband to sit up with the
other three nlghtsF
The prominent Mason said he was thank
full that few Masons died. and only occa-
sionally was one sick enough to call for masonic
assistance. When a Mason took sick away from
his home. or when his family desired it, the
brethren were only too glad to Sit UP with him;
but there were SO many Masops and SO few sick
that it was only once in two or three months
that q brother was called upon to sit I'D with
body. But why do you ask these questions,
madam" said the prominent Mason.
The woman picked the fringe off her shawl,
hung her head down, and said:
''Well. my husband began joining the Masons
about two years ago. and be has been taking de-
grees or sitting up with people ever since, and
he comes home at all hours of the night smell-
ing of beer and cheese thought first the
cheese was the result of going to the morgue to
help carry brother Masons homo after they were
found in the river. | have kept a little track of
it, and figure that he has taken 233 degrees
including the Grand Sky Fugie degree, which
he took the night he came In with his lip cut and
his ear hanging by piece of skin"
''Oh, madam" said the prominent Mason,
there Is no Sky Fugie degree in Masonry; your
husband has lied to you"
That's what think" said she. as a baleful
light appeared in her eye. He said he was
taking the Sky Fugie degree and fell through
the skylight. l had him sewed up and he was
ready for more degrees After he had taken. 1
should think, about a hundred and fifty degrees,
told him should think he would let up on it,
and put some potatoes in the cellar for winter;
but he said when a man once got started no had
to take them all, or he didn't amount to any
thing. One time l wanted a new hat to wear to
church with feather on, and he said feathers
were all nonsense. and the nexs day he brought
home a leather case with felt coal scutt1e in il,
dnd afeather on II that couldn't have less than
$l0 the way that figure millinery. And when
he put it on and laughed at his ridiculous ap-
pearance, he began to throw his arms around,
and l asked him what was the matter. and he
said it was the grand hailing sign of distress.
and II didn't look OUT an avenger would appear
from a dark closet and run toad sticker through
me for scoffer. He must have spent fortune
on the last $50 degrees.
"One morning he came home with his coat
tails split right up the back, and his pants torn
just though dog had chewed them, and
one eye closed up and wad of hair pulled right
out of his head, and he said he had been taking
the 200th degree, but he wouldn't tell how it
happened, because it was dead secret. Some
times brother Mason comes homo with him
early IN the morning, and they talk about full
flush, and they act full they stand on the
stems AID talk about pat hands and raising EN-
out and calling and 'bob-tail flush One night
when he WAS asleep, heard him whisper. L
meant he said they had been raising q purse for
a poor widow. Apother time he raised up liz
bed, sitter he had been asleep. and shouted. I
stand pat and when / asked him what he
meant he said he was ruined If / told it. He said
he had spoken the password, and il the brethren
heard of it they would put him out of the way.
even as Morgan was put out of the way. Mister.
is / stand pat, your password
The Mason told her 1t was not That the
words he had spoken was an expression used by
men when playing draw poker. and he added
that he didn't believe that her husband q
Mason at all. but he had been lying to her all
these years
She sighed. and said. That's what thought
when he came home with lot of ivory chips
his pocket. He said be used them at the lodge
to vote on candidates, and that white chip
elects and a blue rejects . candidate. If you
will look the matter up and see if he has joined
the Masons will be obliged to yoR He says
that he has taken all the 223 degrees. and now
the boys want him join the Knights of
Pythias and the Odd-fellows. want to get out
an injunction to prevent him from joining any
thing else until we get some understanding for
winter. I'll tell you what will do. The next
time he says any thing about Sky Fugie degrees
and consistory nonsense will take wash
board aud make HIM think there is ono degree
in Masonry that ne has skipped and now good.
bya1